Disabled homeowner who heard noises at front door shoots man

Updated 3:06 pm, Monday, January 27, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — A disabled homeowner shot a man through a window with birdshot late Sunday during what San Antonio police say was an attempted burglary in the 1700 block of South Sabinas Street.

Ruben Hernandez, 54, was watching TV at his home at about 8:30 p.m. when he heard a loud banging that grew louder, according to a police report. A metal object was used to hit Hernandez's door, according to police.

Hernandez told police he heard the voice of a man, 19, whom he knew, yelling at him to come out.

Hernandez said he looked out the window and saw the man and two other men at the door. Hernandez told police he has had confrontations before where the man had threatened his life. Hernandez said the 19-year-old man and another man there, 23, have been involved in confrontations with Hernandez and Hernandez's son, including one several days earlier.

Hernandez is disabled and he was scared for his life, thinking the other men were trying to break in, according to police.

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Hernandez grabbed a single shot 12-gauge shotgun and fired one shot of No. 8 birdshot through the window, according to police. He told police he did not want to kill anyone.

The three men ran down the driveway to Merida Street, Hernandez told police.

The 23-year-old man had been shot and was taken to a hospital, according to police.

A woman, 36, drove the three men to the hospital in a Cadillac, according to police. The Cadillac had brass knuckles and two knives inside, according to police.

The woman and the three men were charged with burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault. Their names have not been released.